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As a family of three with one income, extra expenses need to be kept to a minimum. Finding free or cheap activities when my son was an infant was no problem. I'd snap his car seat into the travel system and go on our daily walk. I'd spend hours watching him laugh at the crazy one-woman puppet shows I'd put on with his stuffed animals. I'd dress him up and take him to family and friend's houses to show him off. Then suddenly, he became a toddler and I had to look for new inexpensive activities.

We still like to go on walks together, but now we stop at the park to let him run around he loves to run and I love that it helps him burn off so much energy. Parks and trails have been a live saver for me as a mother on a tight budget. They are free of charge and have helped my son and I appreciate nature.

Another great option for an educational, yet inexpensive activity is to check out local museums. A local children's museum we frequent is free of charge for adults and babies 14 months and younger. The fee for children over 14 months is a mere six dollars not bad for a day of learning.

My son and I also hit the library on a weekly basis. We come from a family of readers. If we were to actually buy all of the books we have enjoyed for free from our public library, we would be in the poor house for sure! Along with books, we have barrowed numerous DVDs, books on CD and even puzzles that have provided hours of FREE entertainment. He also loves the weekly toddler-friendly story time.

My son, who is 19 months old, does a pretty good job of entertaining himself most of the time. But when he becomes a little restless and bored with his toys, we select one of the above activities. I cannot wait until he is old enough to play board games, help me with crafts and cooking, and read to me all inexpensive activities.

Learn more about this author, Holly R..
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